Agree 100%. I'd throw Marty Supreme into that list as a film using the past to discuss present themes of American myth vs reality. I also think there's a real Romantic sensibility to almost all of these films. A rejection of systems in favor of people and human connection. All seem to be grappling with "what happens at the end of something".
Great distinction here between Parasite and Glass Onion vs Bugonia and Eddington. The "Eat the Rich" genre is escapism, you leave the theater feeling righteous, whereas the "Fractured America" 2025 canon makes you feel disoriented. One flatters our politics, the other implicates us in the confusion.
Agree with a lot of this, Ed. And I’d go further to say that there are formal elements shared across these films (and quite a few others besides) that, to me, speak to filmmakers struggling, or intentionally refusing, to articulate a coherent visual and narrative sensibility. It’s an aesthetic of wild mood swings: one moment it’s “overwhelming the senses” through motion and sound, then it shifts to sombre, abstract, even hallucinatory contemplation. And then narratives become progressively unhinged, with connections fracturing, themes becoming contradictory, and there’s often an abrupt end which lacks either clear resolution or the kind of ambiguity that invites discussion (beyond what was that about). It’s as though the cinematic zeitgeist is in line with a feeling of desperation and confusion, for which there is no political-aesthetics thought mechanism to posit solutions or hope. It’s certainly been an interesting period of film however you view it.
Awesome film! I thought about including it, but ultimately thought it felt like it had slightly different preoccupations than the cluster of films I talk about in the piece. But there is an overlap for sure.
Hi, your opening words confused me for a moment; “…has long flip-flopped between revealing the world as it is and the world as it wants it to be.” ~ I thought ‘surely that must be referring to the United Nations’ .
On that turkey of a subject, perhaps the UN should simply dispense with the ‘United’ part ~ and become ‘N’. ? Just an idea.
Agree 100%. I'd throw Marty Supreme into that list as a film using the past to discuss present themes of American myth vs reality. I also think there's a real Romantic sensibility to almost all of these films. A rejection of systems in favor of people and human connection. All seem to be grappling with "what happens at the end of something".
Great insight, hadn't thought of its cultural significance
Thanks Eoin!
Great distinction here between Parasite and Glass Onion vs Bugonia and Eddington. The "Eat the Rich" genre is escapism, you leave the theater feeling righteous, whereas the "Fractured America" 2025 canon makes you feel disoriented. One flatters our politics, the other implicates us in the confusion.
Thanks Bardiya, and yes, exactly! That’s a great way of phrasing it.
Agree with a lot of this, Ed. And I’d go further to say that there are formal elements shared across these films (and quite a few others besides) that, to me, speak to filmmakers struggling, or intentionally refusing, to articulate a coherent visual and narrative sensibility. It’s an aesthetic of wild mood swings: one moment it’s “overwhelming the senses” through motion and sound, then it shifts to sombre, abstract, even hallucinatory contemplation. And then narratives become progressively unhinged, with connections fracturing, themes becoming contradictory, and there’s often an abrupt end which lacks either clear resolution or the kind of ambiguity that invites discussion (beyond what was that about). It’s as though the cinematic zeitgeist is in line with a feeling of desperation and confusion, for which there is no political-aesthetics thought mechanism to posit solutions or hope. It’s certainly been an interesting period of film however you view it.
And what about “The Secret Agent”? For my money the best film in years.
Awesome film! I thought about including it, but ultimately thought it felt like it had slightly different preoccupations than the cluster of films I talk about in the piece. But there is an overlap for sure.
Hi, your opening words confused me for a moment; “…has long flip-flopped between revealing the world as it is and the world as it wants it to be.” ~ I thought ‘surely that must be referring to the United Nations’ .
On that turkey of a subject, perhaps the UN should simply dispense with the ‘United’ part ~ and become ‘N’. ? Just an idea.